Cody Canada Brings His Acoustic Guitar & Stories To Carol’s Pub In Chicago!
At the heart of Chicago, within the storied walls of Carol’s Pub, Cody Canada transformed a typical evening into an extraordinary journey through music and storytelling. As the city basked in the glow of the setting sun, it was evident that this wasn’t just any concert; it was a gathering of souls, united by their love for heartfelt lyrics and raw acoustic melodies. This review dives into the magical evening that was Cody Canada's solo acoustic tour stop in Chicago, an experience that resonated with the spirit of every concert-goer fortunate enough to be present.
Photos By: Nashville Is His Bride
Cody Canada, the man who once spearheaded the formidable Cross Canadian Ragweed and later brought us The Departed, embarked on this tour with a different approach. With only his guitar and the talented Peyton Glasco by his side, the duo promised an evening more mellow yet imbued with the very essence that has defined Cody’s music career—raw emotion, poignant narratives, and of course, an undercurrent of weed-infused camaraderie.
The anticipation was palpable as attendees transitioned from the warmth of conversation at the bar to the intimacy of the floor, awaiting the performance. Carol's Pub, steeped in history and alive with the spirit of country and Americana, proved the perfect setting for what was to unfold. Cody Canada, stepping onto the stage, kicked things off not just with music but with the kind of storytelling that draws you in, setting the stage for a night that was as much about the tales behind the tunes as it was about the melodies themselves.
A John Hiatt cover, Train To Birmingham, served as the perfect opener. Through it, Cody shared a whimsical yet deeply personal narrative of a recent escapade in Vegas—a night that took a turn from a potentially legendary Grateful Dead experience to an unplanned Shania Twain adventure, culminating in a new tattoo and a lesson in the serendipity of life. It was this blending of humor, raw honesty, and spontaneity that set the tone for the evening.
The depth of the setlist was immediately apparent as Cody dived into Flowers and Ruby Ridge, showcasing his unparalleled ability to connect with his audience on a profoundly emotional level. The declaration that they would be performing The Final Curtain, a song missed during Cross Canadian Ragweed’s final show in Chicago over a decade ago, brought an air of redemption to the evening, blending nostalgia with the excitement of the new.
“In my best era now, I don’t give a f*ck what anybody thinks of me, I had a great run with the 1st band and having a great run with the 2nd band” – Cody Canada
New tracks like Paper Moon sat comfortably alongside stories of Cody’s youth, including the humorous and all-too-relatable 17, which spoke to the mischievous adventures of buying beer on his dad’s tab. Yet, it was his candid recounting of personal adversities, such as being robbed at gunpoint, before launching into Easy that reminded everyone of the resilience and authenticity that underpin Cody’s music and life.
The evening took a communal turn as Cody invited Singer/Songwriter Scott Evans to the stage for Soul Agent & Steel Heart, uniting voices in a moment that exemplified the power of music to connect and uplift. The energy in Carol’s Pub was electric as classics like Alabama and a Merle Haggard cover were performed, everyone singing along, a chorus of voices in unison, finding solace and joy in a shared experience.
The concert reached its crescendo with Boys From Oklahoma, a playful homage to simpler times and shared experiences. It was a fitting close to the set, leaving the audience in high spirits, yet craving more. They didn’t have to wait long. Cody, ever the showman, returned to the stage for an encore that included Carney Man and a touching tribute to Charlie Robinson with Sunset Boulevard, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the timeless power of music.
Cody Canada delivered more than just a concert; he provided an experience—a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, the communal spirit of music, and the undeniable talent that Cody and Peyton brought to Carol’s Pub. For over two hours, they held the crowd in the palm of their hands, delivering a 24-song setlist that traversed the spectrum of emotion, from laughter to introspection, from shared joy to personal revelation.
Click The Image For The Full Cody Canada Gallery
The promise to return with the full band was the cherry on top of an already unforgettable night. Cody Canada’s performance in Chicago was more than a musical event; it was a rallying cry, a reminder of the profound impact music can have on our lives, and a beacon for what it means to live passionately and authentically. For every concert-goer in attendance, it was a night that won’t soon be forgotten, a moment in time when the world felt a little smaller, a little kinder, and infinitely more connected through the universal language of music.
Follow Cody Canada Here!
Cody Canada Set List:
Train To Birmingham (John Hiatt Cover)
Flowers
Ruby Ridge
The Final Curtain
Paper Moon (New Song)
17
On A Cloud
Easy
In Betweener
Jenny
Soul Agent (Sang by Scott Evans)
Steel Heart (Sang by Scott Evans)
Alabama
That’s The Way Love Goes (Merle Haggard Cover)
Constantly
Ballad Of Rosalie
Leaving Tennessee
Kick In The Head
Oklahoma Boys
-------
Carney Man
Brooklyn Kid
Cry Lonely
Sunset Boulevard (Charlie Robinson Cover)
